LANSING – In a move to jumpstart Michigan's economy and end the chronic cycle of budget deficits, State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township) and fellow House Democrats today unveiled the Road Map to Michigan's Recovery. The plan boasts sweeping reforms to state and local government, cuts in government spending and investments in areas critical to Michigan's ability to compete in the 21st Century global economy.
"Our state is at a critical juncture," Gonzales said. "We have to make tough choices right now to move our state forward. This plan puts in place the critical reforms and investments that will help turn our state around and make Michigan a leader in the 21st Century global economy."
The Road Map to Michigan's Recovery plan calls for far-reaching changes by: cutting state spending; enacting sweeping reforms to state and local governments and community schools; and investing in areas critical to Michigan's economic growth such as health care, education and job creation.
"We have the nation's most advanced research and development economies and plenty of capacity for new industries," Gonzales said. "This plan builds on those strengths while also protecting critical areas such as health care and education. It will help make Michigan a magnet for new businesses and industries, and also ensure that our residents are ready to compete for those jobs."
The first tier of the plan pursues sweeping reforms at all levels of government, including consolidating local government services and school district administrative offices, which will streamline government and save millions of dollars. This reform builds on actions taken by House Democrats in March to cut the State House budget by more than $3 million and end lifetime health care for new lawmakers.
The second tier of the plan calls for deep cuts in government spending. These cuts combined with structural reforms would save the state nearly $1 billion, including the $344 million in cuts in the governor's Executive Order that passed the House last week.
The third tier calls for investments that are necessary to diversify Michigan's economy. The road map seeks to create a cutting-edge, statewide catastrophic health care system with the private sector that aims to cut costs in half to businesses and individuals alike, providing a powerful incentive for businesses to locate in Michigan. Other investments include establishing a state-of-the-art education system with improved technology that bridges the technological divide and brings our classrooms into the 21st Century. The plan aims to make preschool available to every child in Michigan and make higher education more affordable and accessible.
The road map prepares Michigan's communities to compete in the global economy by providing funding for local communities throughout the state to improve infrastructure and develop affordable housing as a way to draw people to Michigan's cities and communities. The plan also bolsters the 21st Century Jobs Fund to help recruit new, and grow existing, cutting-edge businesses to the state.